The Sims 3 is a strategic life simulation video game in The Sims franchise, originally created by Maxis. Within the in-game chronology of the series, it can be considered a prequel.In contrast to the previous versions, the houses and neighborhoods are seamless, allowing players to explore and interact with their neighborhood without loading time. The game set a new record for Electronic Arts, selling more than 1.4 million copies in its first week of release.